Octavia Hill Awards

We’ve had nominations from across the UK and the standard this year has been really high.

The three winners, who include a group of green space guardians marking their silver jubilee, a red squirrel champion and a passionate birdwatcher, saw off strong competition in the public vote, and will appear in the July issue of Countryfile Magazine and attend an awards ceremony with all the other shortlisted finalists in the autumn.

Stroud Valleys Project in Gloucestershire were crowned your Green Space Guardians, and are now in their 25th year working with volunteers to ensure green spaces and unused land is taken care of in the area.

Specifically for National Trust volunteers, this category was won by Allan Davies, from County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Allan's been a volunteer at Cushenden for almost three years working to increase the number of rare red squirrels on the site.

We asked Roger Parkinson, winner of last year's Natural Hero Award what winning meant to him:

'It has raised my confidence knowing that so many people feel the way I do and given an inspiring seal of approval for my efforts. Thank you National Trust and to my nominator for this positive and uplifting experience.'